Mount Vernon School District, WA

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
• 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
• 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:

• Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
• Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
• Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
• Perform community service more than four times as often (”Living the Arts through Language + Learning: A Report on Community-based Youth Organizations,” Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998)

The facts are that arts education…

• makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has been proven to help level the “learning field” across socio-economic boundaries
  (Involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School, James S. Catterall, The UCLA Imagination Project, Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA, Americans for the Arts Monograph, January 1998)
• has a measurable impact on at-risk youth in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and summer arts programs targeted toward delinquency prevention (Youth ARTS Development Project, 1996, U.S. Department of Justice, National Endowment for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts)

Businesses understand that arts education…

• builds a school climate of high expectation, discipline, and academic rigor that attracts businesses relocating to your community
• strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success
• helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting-skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond
• can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to destructive behavior and another way for students to approach learning
• provides another opportunity for parental, community, and business involvement with schools, including arts and humanities organizations
• helps all students develop more appreciation and understanding of the world around them
• helps students develop a positive work ethic and pride in a job well done (Business Circle for Arts Education in Oklahoma, “Arts at the Core of Learning 1999 Initiative”)

                                                                                                                                            January 24, 2008 
Dear Band Parent,                                                                                                                 

A few weeks ago, I sat down with Fred Pfursich, who is the Vice President for Enrollment Services (a.k.a. Dean of Admissions) here at Whitworth and asked him for his thoughts.   Whitworth is a pretty good example of a school that is more selective in the admissions process  (less than 50% of applicants are accepted), and where involvement in music can have a more significant impact.  Some of what he said challenges the conventional wisdom about getting into a selective college.  Please keep in mind that this comes from our admissions office, and not the band guy.  Again, I hope that this is information that you find useful and that you will share it  with your students (and their parents). Fred made four interesting observations:

Band on the transcript does make a difference.
First, he told me that flat out, all other things being equal, consistent involvement in band – as well as other extra-curricular activities – is an advantage.  The student who has been active in other things besides just academics definitely has a leg-up.

Music students are academically above average.
Second, he said that in the admissions office, they do notice that students who have band (or other music groups) on their transcripts tend also to stand out academically.  The information about GPAs and SATs that I showed him simply confirmed what they have been seeing all along.

Band and the optional SAT
Third, at Whitworth, SAT or ACT scores are optional for admission – we don’t want to cut out  students who do great work but, perhaps, just don’t do as well on standardized tests.  But when a student doesn’t submit test scores, admissions needs to look at other things in the application that will provide evidence that the student will be successful academically in college, and one of the  biggies is involvement in music, because…(see above).

Quantity vs. quality
The fourth thing came as a bit of a surprise.

The conventional wisdom is that when a student applies to college, a long resume of a wide variety of extracurricular activities – maybe, band, a bunch of clubs, community projects, athletics – is important to catch the eye of the admissions officer, and the more stuff on that list, the better.

Well, here is the surprise.  At Whitworth, when a student sends in that long resume of stuff, it  actually can set off a red warning light.  The big question for admissions is whether this student is a “dabbler”, and lacks the focus and commitment needed to be successful in college.  When, on the other hand, a student mentions only a handful of thing, like having been in band all four years, that show a record of consistent commitment, admissions looks much more favorably on that applicant.

Bottom line?  If a student is thinking about having to drop out of band because they are “just too busy” with clubs, projects, and a million other things that they think they need to do to get into college, DON’T!  As I have said to many students, an average trombone player who has been in band all four years often has much more going for them in the college acceptance and scholarship game than a star quarterback.

All the best,
Richard Strauch, DMA
Director, Whitworth Wind Symphony, Whitworth University

THE VALUE OF BAND FOR THOSE of us who are deeply involved in teaching music, it is apparent what an important role the arts, specifically music, play in the development of any student. It is unthinkable to consider preparing a child for life without a solid background in music, but it is obvious we need to remind others of this reality. The following is a collage of "reasons why" it is important for music to be a fundamental part of every child's learning, and this essay can be used in its entirety or excerpted as needed when addressing any group who needs to be informed. Just as there can be no music without learning, no education is complete without music.

If we believe schools exist to develop a child for a productive and meaningful life, then we must look at the contribution music makes in the scope of the total curriculum. The rationale below is broken into four main areas of focus: intrinsic value of music, academic and peer associations, preparation for life, and building individual positive self-worth. Each of the four main reasons stands on its own, but together they present a powerful combination.

INTRINSIC VALUE
The process of making music is the reward. Unlike many things we do in school, music is music for its own sake. Music is beauty within itself. It offers a microcosm of life, for the essence of life is in the living: the journey, not the destination; the process, not the product; and ultimately the purpose, not the outcome -- much like the man who fishes not to catch fish, but for the pleasure of fishing, and who throws caught fish back in the water so he can fish some more.

Music offers an opportunity to experience the pleasure of self-expression at a new level, opening exciting vistas of self-satisfaction. So much of our educational system is "impressionistic." Students are given the material and the better they can repeat it, the higher the grade they get. There is little chance to "create" or add a personal touch to the assignments. In fact, individuality is often discouraged.

Music class is a place which is "expressionistic" and students are encouraged to put their own thoughts and feelings into their music-making. This offers a much-welcomed change from the normal learning process.

The veteran musician knows that music speaks to something more subtle than the intellect; it speaks to the very soul of human kind. Music is woven into the fiber of our life, our spirit. We are moved, changed, alerted to a new sense of knowing by experiencing music. Think of your reaction when you hear Handel's "Messiah," or witness a fine band marching down the street at the local parade or feel the heart-wrenching plea of a talented blues singer. We know there is happy music, sad music, music for celebrations, and music to soothe wounded emotions. What else can generate such feelings?

Music stretches one's understanding of self, which in turn helps us understand others. And every musician will quickly tell you it stimulates a part of the mind which opens our imagination, bringing about a highly intellectual activity we have come to call joy.


ACADEMIC AND PEER ASSOCIATION
We become like the people with whom we associate. The world of behavioral psychology continues to point out the reality of personality modification through peer association. We are adaptable creatures and we quickly conform to our environment (whatever it may be) to perpetuate our survival. Therefore, if our children are going to become academically strong, it would reason they should be spending time in the presence of other successful students. With this in mind, consider these findings: Students in music are scoring 20 to 40 points higher on SAT tests, and the longer a student participates in the school music program, the higher the SAT scores.

Music develops the appetite for learning and creates habits of self-discipline and personal tenacity which carry over into every facet of school. Young musicians are skilled at concentration, alertness, memory, and self-control. These attributes are basic for success in higher education, but more importantly, in succeeding at life.

There is a strong correlation between music and disciplines of science and math - music uses the same reasoning processes. And the social requirements of group effort and communication, along with the development of motor skills, are an integral part of every music lesson.

Many have said that their musical background helped to develop the "forgotten side of the brain," for music encourages us to use acquired knowledge to deal with various aspects of life: values, ethics, creative decision making, and problem solving. Music is not the answer, but a set of questions requiring the individual to "discover the answer." Life is not about answers, but rather a quest to find the answers, and the more profound the question, the more exciting the search for the answer.


PREPARATION FOR LIFE
We all want our children to experience a healthy, happy, and prosperous life and to enjoy themselves in the process. There are certainly mental tools which aid in this goal, and music is crucial in honing these tools:

Creativity. Music opens new horizons of the mind and supports wonderment, imagination, appreciation, and sensitivity. Creativity is the source of possibility and is a mental muscle that must be trained and exercised often.

Communication. Music is a language beyond words. Music can only be explained with music because of its various styles, textures, tempos, and dynamics. It can elicit an emotion. Think of what television or movies would be without music warning us of the impending danger, or setting the mood for the festivities of a wedding. Music truly stirs the soul of people. No words or visual display can come close to the emotional impact of music.

Critical Assessment. Music is one of the key areas where an individual can develop a consistency between intellectual and emotional understanding. Here is the chance to bridge the cognitive and affective data of life, which many feel is the recipe of genius. Music offers one the chance to conceptualize, not just respond. In other words, we can create formulas instead of just solutions, and we can be proactive rather than reactive. We can open the mind and avoid tunnel vision - and in doing so, come up with discerning opinions which develop quality character.

Commitment. It is almost impossible to be "partially committed" to music. One may quit on a test, refuse to turn in an assignment, or just not be aware of what is going on in a lecture class, but the participation level in music requires a focus of attention unlike most subjects in school. Music causes one to learn persistence and the value of "not giving up," even when there is the temptation to throw in the towel. Many have pointed to "stay power" as one of the greatest personal attributes in our society. Welcome to one of the key benefits of the study of music.

BUILDING INDIVIDUAL POSITIVE SELF-WORTH
Every individual is a unique and important source of human potential. To be able to offer our personal artistic signature to any endeavor offers us a special place in life. Music does give us a vehicle to critically express our individuality while supporting our fellow beings.

In a very important way, it allows us to know who we are and answer the question we all face, "why do I exist?" In music, we do matter, we do make a difference, we do have value. Nobody can make the same contribution to the art as we alone can.

Music offers us a balance between what we take and what we give, and through giving (or expressing), our self- image rises because we have brought something unique to the world. We are unique, exclusive, and important. We have value as a vital member of society, and the awareness of this reality encourages us to be responsible in our actions as a contributing member of the community.

In today's world, so many young people seem to be lost, swimming about in a maze of quick fixes, desperately looking for something other than fashion labels with which to identify. If their musical talents are developed, nurtured, and sought, then their value increases, and they have worth... self-worth, the most important component of a fruitful life.

This article certainly does not suggest the study of music to the exclusion or expense of other subject areas, but merely states the fundamental importance of the music in the basic development of the student. It is the birthright of every child, and it becomes our duty to see it is delivered.

There is an important duty we all share as music educators, and it has been dormant in many job outlines. Although we can turn our backs on the plight of music education, it is our moral duty to wave our own flag. Although we may feel incompetent as lobbyists for our own cause, the alternative is extinction.

The questions are bold and simple:

If not now, when?

If not here, where?

If not you, who?

Just as there can be no music without learning, there can be no education without music. Let the music begin.

Dr. Lautzenheiser, founder of Attitude Concepts for Today, travels throughout the United States and Canada working with and speaking to young musicians in developing a desire for excellence.

National Association for Music Education and Artist Steven Van Zandt Endorse Findings
No Child Left Behind Act is Leaving Music Education Behind, Despite Proven Benefits

The following information was part of a November 12, 2007 MENC press release. For more information, contact Elizabeth Lasko.

Washington, DC – At an event with actor and musician "Little" Steven Van Zandt and MENC: The National Association for Music Education, Harris Interactive released an independent poll which shows a positive association of music with lifelong educational attainment and higher income. Nearly nine in ten people (88 percent) with post graduate degrees participated in music education. Further, 83 percent of those with incomes higher than $150,000 or more participated in music. See below for photos and videos of the press event.

With the No Child Left Behind Act currently up for reauthorization in Congress, a discussion on music education is more important right now than ever. Music is recognized, on paper, as a core academic subject but with actual testing in only a narrow range of subjects, music is usually one of the first programs to be cut.

"Research confirms that music education at an early age greatly increases the likelihood that a child will grow up to seek higher education and ultimately earn a higher salary. The sad irony is that ‘No Child Left Behind’ is intended to better prepare our children for the real world, yet it’s leaving music behind despite its proven benefits,” said Dr. John Mahlmann, Executive Director of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. “While music clearly corresponds to higher performing students and adults, student access to music education had dropped about 20 percent in recent years, thanks in large part to the constraints of the No Child Left Behind Act."

Musician, actor and music education activist Steven Van Zandt adds, "Obviously, music is a big part of my life and I’ve had remarkable experiences as part of the music industry. That is why I am now combining my life's work and my passion for music education. The Harris Poll and other studies like it document the fact that you don’t have to be a rock star to benefit from music education. Music benefits everyone in all walks of life. Through my Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, I am working with professional music educators on the development of ‘Little Steven’s Rock and Roll High School.’ This curriculum will be available at no cost to schools and can help future generations learn about music, history, culture and the arts—all through Rock and Roll."

"If you want to be a CEO, college president or even a rock star, the message from this survey is: take music,” Mahlmann added. “As with reading, writing and arithmetic, music should be a core academic focus because it is so vital to a well rounded education and will pay dividends later in life, no matter the career path taken."

Respondents of the Harris Poll cite skills they learned in music as helping them in their careers today. Seventy-two percent of adults with music education agree that it equips people to be better team players in their career and nearly six in ten agree that music education has influenced their creative problem solving skills. Many also agree music education provides a disciplined approach to problem solving, a sense of organization and prepares someone to manage the tasks of their job more successfully.

An earlier Harris study shows significantly higher graduation and attendance rates in schools with music programs (90.2 percent compared to 72.9 percent and 93.3 percent compared to 84.9 percent, respectively).

Other studies show the value of music programs to our future generations:

• Students in top quality music programs scored 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher in math on standardized tests mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act (University of Kansas)
• In 2006, SAT takers with coursework in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal portion of the test and 43 points higher on the math portion (The College Board, Profile of College-Bound Seniors National Report for 2006)
   

"Parents, educators, state legislatures and the Congress need to take these studies seriously. This relationship between music education and better performance in life is not accidental. How are we supposed to continue as a creative society without exposing our students to the arts? Rock and Roll shapes our culture and is the great equalizer among people of different racial, social and economic backgrounds. It belongs in the schools!" said Van Zandt.

View the Harris Poll Report

"Parents, educators, state legislatures and the Congress need to take these studies seriously. This relationship between music education and better performance in life is not accidental. How are we supposed to continue as a creative society without exposing our students to the arts? Rock and Roll shapes our culture and is the great equalizer among people of different racial, social and economic backgrounds. It belongs in the schools!"

About MENC MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the world’s largest arts education organization, marked its centennial in 2007 as the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. More than 142,000 members and supporters include educators representing all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. MENC’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education. MENC is located at the National Center for Music Education in Reston, VA.

About Harris Interactive Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and one of the fastest-growing market research firms in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world’s largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its North American, European and Asian offices, and through a global network of independent market research firms. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com.

About Little Steven's Rock and Roll High School The Rock and Roll Forever Foundation: To educate and promote the history and achievements of Rock and Roll music as well as other traditional and modern music forms. To save, safeguard, archive, and collect important Rock and Roll and other musical documents, histories, or artifacts. To preserve original analogue tape master recordings. To help save or safeguard important Rock and Roll music sites or venues, and to raise public awareness of the historical significance of certain music sites or venues. To provide scholarships, fellowships, or grants to young aspiring musicians. To teach the history of Rock and Roll and its origins and document its impact on our nation's and world culture. To donate or provide access to musical instruments, training, recording equipment, and other musical skills to those who might otherwise not have the opportunity to receive them. To insure that the tremendous cultural and artistic benefits and achievements of Rock and Roll music be passed down to future generations.